Bradford City caretaker manager Mark Trueman enjoys ugliness of win over Grimsby Town

The Bantams have now picked up seven points from a possible nine under the caretaker management of Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars. The 2-1 victory secured back-to-back victories for the first time in the league since January 1.

Their first-half goals from Lee Novak and Levi Sutton were of outstanding quality, but the way they gritted their teeth and held on after Harry Clifton's 48th-minute goal for Grismby was probably even better.

“It wasn't the greatest performance but we showed we can win ugly,” was Trueman's full-time verdict, “but we still showed moments of quality and that's where we got our two goals and capitalised on them.

“For a 20-minute spell we got on top of the game and that's where our goals came from.”

Novak, who returned after an 11-match injury absence in Stuart McCall's final game has scored two in three for the caretakers, the latest an overhead kick after chesting a cross from Callum Cooke. Sutton's lob over goalkeeper James McKeown was special too.

“I didn't see it coming from where I was stood but we know Lee's got that quality to score from different areas and he deserved it with the performances he's put in for us over the three games,” said Trueman.

“People just see Levi out of possession but he makes great runs that are hard to pick up and it was a great pass from Billy (Clarke) as well.

“People are saying we're going back to basics but we've given them a lot of information, so that's a sign of good players and confidence around the building. They're buying into what we're doing and showing it on the pitch.

“They always knew they could hold onto these lads, defend well and mark space, not just men. They defended the box really well and the togetherness we've got in the team means we know we'll get over the difficult spells you always have even if you're dominating the ball.

“They managed it really well.

“It's great for the players to build on the momentum we've got at the moment and to keep building confidence in our play.

“It's a cliché but the next goal is important when you're 2-0 up at half-time. We didn't want that (goal from Harry Clifton) but it was great to see the grit and desire and commitment.

“The change to a 4-4-2 (with the introduction of Kurtis Guthrie) helped late on in the game and we managed it well again.”

Bradford had hoped to appoint McCall's full-time replacement for this game but the performance of the caretakers has perhaps made them pause for thought. Trueman initially said he did not want to be a candidate but has now changed his tune.

“I've just got to keep doing my job,” he said, deflecting the questions. “If I'm in charge or not I feel the team's got a good foundation now.

“I'll just keep doing my job until told otherwise.”

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